Vera series 14 - the final ever two episodes - is a bittersweet farewell to Brenda Blethyn's popular detective, and some amazing guest stars have lined-up to be in the cast.

The two-parter, which airs on New Year's Day and the next (Thursday, January 02, 2025), is actress Brenda's swan song as Vera after 14 years on ITV.

And while fans will no doubt be very sad to say "farewell pet" to the beloved DCI Vera Stanhope, the feature-length episodes are a fitting goodbye.

Here's everything you need to know about the brilliant returning cast of Vera series 14, and the guest stars appearing.

Brenda Blethyn stars as DCI Vera Stanhope

Veteran actress Brenda Blethyn, 78, portrays "unconventional and fiercely intelligent" DCI Vera Stanhope in Vera. She's played the role for 14 years, ever since the first ever series in 2011.

Kent-born, Brenda - an OBE no less - has been on our screens for more than four decades. She made her first ever TV role in the 1980 Play for Today when she was 34.

After years as a jobbing actress in both film, TV and theatre, she won the life-changing role of Alison Little in romantic comedy Chance in a Million opposite Simon Callow. She played the role from 1984 to 1986, before getting her very own sitcom The Labours of Erica, where she played widowed, single mother Erica Rogers.

The ridiculously likeable Brenda went on to lead the cast of primetime TV series, including All Good Things, Outside Edge, Between the Sheets, and more recently Kate & Koji.

She is perhaps most famous for her appearances in the films of her old friend Mike Leigh, including Grown-Ups, and Secrets & Lies - for which she won a Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress.

Her most most famous film roles include playing Cordelia in the 1982 film King Lear, Mrs. Jenkins in 1990's The Witches, Grace in 2000's Saving Grace, and Mrs Maclean in the Brad Pitt film A River Runs Through It.

In 1998, Brenda starred in the acclaimed film Little Voice. She's also played Mrs. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, opposite Black Doves star Keira Knightley. Brenda and Keira reunited once again in the epic love story Atonement, where Brenda played Grace Turner.

Her first role after leaving Vera will be in the comedy film Fools, opposite Karen Gillan, and Jim Broadbent, which is due to be released in 2025. She's also filmed a new movie with Andrea Riseborough entitled The Nest.

Vera series 14 cast list: David Leon plays DI Joe Ashworth

Newcastle-born actor David Leon, 44, reprises his role as Joe Ashworth, a dedicated and dependable detective. Fans will know he played the character between series 1 and 4 of Vera, before departing in 2014.

He returned in 2024 to replace departing Kenny Doughty. Kenny starred as DS Aiden Healy since 2015.

David first appeared on our screens in 2003, when he was 23. He popped up as a character called Tom Vale in the Northern police drama Merseybeat. Between 2004 and 2005, he played Troy Gillespie in the Amanda Holden drama Cutting It.

Other notable TV roles include Álex in The Refugees, DI Adam Perrin in In the Dark, Kieran in Gold Digger, and Oscar Harris in Silent Witness.

As well as writing, producing, and directing, David has also appeared in multiple films. He portrayed Malcolm in the 2008 Guy Ritchie film RocknRolla, Steven in Cordelia, Charlie Henderson in Bliss!, and Alfie in Clapham Junction.

Jon Morrison portrays DC Kenny Lockhart

Scottish actor Jon Morrison, 70, returns to play DC Kenny Lockhart in the cast of Vera series 14, the last ever. Jon has portrayed the loyal and trusted member of the team ever since the first series in 2011.

Jon's first ever TV appearance was way back in 1973, when he played Currie in the religious drama Adam Smith. Throughout the 70s and 80s, he appeared in dozens of TV dramas, including Cloud Howe, Crown Court, The Nearly Man, and Scene.

After working as a jobbing actor for decades, he won the role of Don Barker in the football drama Dream Team in 2004, a role he played for a year.

Other notable roles include Eddie in High Times, DI Jazz McCulloch in Rebus, and Andrew Adams in Servants. He's been in a number of films, including That Summer!, Who Dares Wins, Slayground, and The Negotiator.

Riley Jones stars as DC Mark Edwards

Gateshead-born actor Riley Jones, 35, reprises his role as DC Mark Edwards in the cast of Vera series 14. Mark has become a skilled and reliable detective, and has been in every single series of Vera, since the show began in 2011.

When he won the role of Mark, at the time a policeman working under Vera, Riley was a newcomer to the small screen. Vera was his first ever TV role.

Since then, Riley has starred as Kenny Morgans in the football film United, opposite Rivals actor David Tennant. He's also portrayed Front Desk Officer in one episode of the teen TV series Wolfblood, and Ewan in two episodes of EastEnders.

Vera series 14 cast list: Rhiannon Clements as DC Steph Duncan

Blackburn-born Rhiannon Clements, 30, stars as DC Steph Duncan, an energetic, committed detective who "thrives at the heart of an investigation".

Rhiannon - who was born with a foreshortened left arm - is known for her work in TV, film, and theatre. She joined the cast of Vera in the penultimate series 13.

Her first TV role was in 2020, when she was 26. She played Bescot in Doctor Who - not a bad first role for a newbie! That same year, she portrayed Melanie in the comedy The Other One, and Kate in the podcast series Kisses in the Dark.

Of course, Hollyoaks fans will know her as Summer Ranger in the E4 and C4 soap. She played the role of Cormac Ranger's daughter between 2020 and 2021.

Rhiannon has also portrayed Mad Debs in Big Boys, Jenna Noble in Ridley, Fliss Forsyth in Sister Boniface Mysteries, Lauren in Maryland, and Bev in The Power of Parker.

More recently, she's starred as Izzy in the ITVX thriller Platform 7, and Rochelle in Daddy Issues, opposite Sherwood actor David Morrissey.

Sarah Kameela Impey stars as pathologist Dr. Paula Bennett

Ipswich-born actress Sarah Kameela Impey joined the cast as pathologist Dr Paula Bennett, a keen and talented scientist, in 2023.

Actress and musician Sarah is probably best known for her role as front woman Saira in Muslim punk band sitcom We Are Lady Parts. The critically-acclaimed series kicked off in 2021, and ran a second series in 2024.

In 2023, she appeared in an episode of medical drama Maternal, opposite DI Ray actress Parminder Nagra. She's also starred in an episode of radio soap The Archers, and played Postmates in Dinner with the Parents.

Sarah has also worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company multiple times, notably in the 2017 version of The Tempest. As a singer, she performed as part of soul indie band A Blossom Fell for six years.

Kevin Whately plays Gary Creelan

Acclaimed TV actor Kevin Whately, 73, joins the cast of Vera series 14 as Gary Creelan. At this stage, we've been told very little about his character - could he be a suspect, a victim, a witness, or even a love interest of our Vera?

Cumberland-born actor Kevin Whately is a respected star of huge TV hits including Inspector Morse, and its subsequent spin-off Lewis.

From 1987 to 2000 (on and off), Kevin starred as Detective Sergeant Lewis opposite John Thaw in Inspector Morse. Then, between 2006 and 2015, he reprised the role in Lewis.

Peak Practice fans will know him for playing Dr. Jack Kerruish between 1993 and 1995. Before that, Kevin made his name portraying Neville Hope in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. The series ran from 1983 to 1986, and led to a brief reprisal between 2002 and 2004.

Over a long and varied career, Kevin has also played Ray Hilton in Look and Read, and James 'Jimmy' Griffin in The Broker's Man.

More recently, he starred as Michael in the Channel 5 thriller The Inheritance. His film roles have included the leading role in 2010's Joe Maddison's War, and Hardy in The English Patient.

Talking about working with Kevin, Brenda said: "Kevin and I have worked together before. We were in an award-winning 2004 ITV drama called Belonging which had a fabulous cast. We played husband and wife in that."

Vera series 14 cast list: Chelsea Halfpenny plays Kimberley Martin

Actress Chelsea Halfpenny, 33, plays Kimberley Martin in the final ever episodes of Vera on ITV1 and ITVX.

Born in Tyne and Wear, Chelsea is best known for playing Alicia Munroe in Casualty from 2015 to 2019. She actually first appeared in the BBC One medical drama as a child when she was just 13.

That year, in 2004, she also joined the cast of Byker Grove as Lucy Summerbee, a role she played until 2006.

Between 2010 and 2014, Chelsea portrayed Amy Wyatt in Emmerdale. She last appeared on TV in 2021, when she popped up as Lily Bradley in one episode of Grantchester.

Chelsea, niece of fellow actress Jill Halfpenny, has been rather busy the past few years getting engaged to Emmerdale actor James Baxter. They welcomed their first child together in June 2023.

Talking about Chelsea, Vera actress Brenda Blethyn said: "Chelsea Halfpenny is a terrific actress. She was wonderful to work with. Her aunt Jill Halfpenny played a guest role in the third series of Vera."

Cathy Tyson stars as Kath Oliver

Actress Cathy Tyson, 59, portrays Kath Oliver in the Vera finale.

Surrey-born Cathy’s first ever TV role was as Joanna in the 1984 TV series Scully, but it was her next role that catapulted her to global fame. Two years later, in 1986, Cathy portrayed sex worker Simone in the award-winning film Mona Lisa, opposite Bob Hoskins. She was just 21 at the time.

After Mona Lisa, Cathy starred in the Wes Craven 1988 horror film The Serpent and the Rainbow. But it was another prostitute role which returned her to the spotlight in 1995. She starred as Carol Johnson in the hugely successful ITV drama series Band of Gold. The series ran from 1995 to 1997, and also starred Samantha Morton, Geraldine James, and Barbara Dickson. The spin-off, simply titled Gold, aired in 1997.

Cathy also played Steph McKenzie in the soap Night and Day, Miss Gayle in Grange Hill, and single mum Andrea Hayworth in Emmerdale. More recently, she's popped up in McDonald & Dodds, Maternal, The Sandman, Death in Paradise, and Wolfe.

In 2021, she played Polly in the heartbreaking Covid drama Help, starring Jodie Comer and Stephen Graham – later to be her co-star in Boiling Point. In 2023, Cathy was cast as Carly's mum Vivian in the TV spin off of the film set in a stressful restaurant kitchen.

In 2024, she played Doris Mathis in the Apple TV+ series Criminal Record, Alecto in Kaos, and Raquella Berto-Anirul in Dune: Prophecy.

Vera lead Brenda Blethyn simply called Cathy Tyson "a legend" after working with her.

Derek Thompson plays Gordon Spencer in Vera series 14 episode 2

Belfast-born actor Derek Thompson, 76, portrays Gordon Spencer in the cast of Vera series 14, episode 2 entitled The Dark Wives.

Of course, Derek is best known for playing beloved Casualty character Charlie Fairhead, a role he played from 1986 to 2024 - that's 901 episodes! Charlie was one of the original characters from the very first episode, until he decided to retire from the role in 2024.

Since leaving the BBC medical drama, Derek has appeared in Belfast police drama Blue Lights. He played Robin Graham in series 2.

Derek is also famous for playing Frank Crossan in The Price, Will Thurley in Brookside, Billy Downes in Harry's Game, and Det. Sgt Jimmy Fenton in The Gentle Touch.

He's been in a few films, including Me! I'm Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Yanks, Breaking Glass, and The Long Good Friday.

Talking about the guest star, Brenda Blethyn said: "I knew Derek way back when we were both at the National Theatre. I was very flattered when he agreed to do this. Apart from being a great actor, Derek is the most wonderful raconteur. He could talk for England and you wouldn't get bored for one second. He's also a great musician."

Shobna Gulati portrays Chief Superintendent Khalon

Lancashire-born actress Shobna Gulati, 58, guest stars as Chief Superintendent Khalon in the final episodes of Vera on ITV1 and ITVX.

Of course, Coronation Street fans will know Shobna for playing Sunita Alahan from 2001 to 2013.

Before that, from 1998 to 2000, she portrayed Anita in the Victoria Wood comedy Dinnerladies. Other significant roles include Ameena in EastEnders, Nisha Clayton in Where the Heart Is, Fiona in In the Club, and Farah Khurana in River City.

Between 2018 and 2020, she starred as Najia Khan in Doctor Who, before going on to play Vicky in Murder, They Hope, Nima in Hullraisers, Gina in Brassic, and Kiran in The Serial Killer's Wife.

She's been in films including My Name is Leon, Going the Distance, Everybody's Talking About Jamie, and Finding Fatimah. Shobna was also a panellist on Loose Women on and off from 2003 to 2022.

Talking about working with Shobna on the set of Vera series 14, Brenda Blethyn said: "The new Chief Superintendent is rather severe on camera. But Shobna and I couldn't stop giggling. In between takes we were laughing our heads off."

Vera series 14 cast list: Graeme Hawley portrays Will Marsh

Coventry-born actor Graeme Hawley, 51, portrays Will Marsh in the cast of Vera.

The actor is well known to soap fans. He played Corrie villain John Stape, who made Fiz's life hell from 2007 to 2011. However, Graeme is also famous for playing DC Martin Crowe in Emmerdale in 2004 and 2005.

After playing Wayne Ratkin in TV series Alfonso Bonzo - his very first TV role - Graeme went on to portray the same character in the spin-off Billy Webb's Amazing Story.

Between 1990 and 1992, he starred as Steve Williams in children's sci-fi series Kappatoo, before going on to portray Gradman in The Forsyte Saga, and Arthur Graham in The Royal.

Other notable roles include Martin Paradise in Love & Marriage, Nigel Hughes in Home Fires, Dan in National Treasure, and Niall Devlin in Peaky Blinders. He also starred as Graham in Keeley Hawes drama Finding Alice, DS Richard 'Tricky' Dixon in Stephen, and Dave Banister in Red Rose.

Freya Parks stars as Stella Marsh

Actress Freya Parks guest stars in Vera as Stella Marsh. She's probably best known for playing Amy Jessop in the family comedy Here We Go. It's a role she's played since 2020, opposite Katherine Parkinson, Jim Howick, and Alison Steadman.

Her first role was in 2009 playing child Etty Darwin in the film Creation, and she subsequently portrayed Helen Burns in Jane Eyre. Sticking to period dramas, she then starred as Mariah Crummles in the TV series The Life and Adventures of Nick Nickleby.

In 2012, she played a barmaid in Les Misérables. After a four year break, Freya returned to our screens to lead the cast of the film Bliss! Other films roles followed, including School's Out Forever, Love Gets a Room, and The School for Good and Evil.

More recently, she starred as Fiona in Steven Knight drama This Town, and Logan Somerville in ITV detective drama Grace.

Michelle Holmes plays Erika Rowlins

Rochdale-born actress Michelle Holmes, 57, guest stars as Erika Rowlins in the final ever episodes of Vera.

Soap fans will be very familiar with Michelle's face, as she played Tina Fowler in Coronation Street from 1989 to 1990. She also portrayed Britt Woods in Emmerdale in 1995. More recently, Michelle starred as Maggie Kinsella in Hollyoaks.

After starting her screen career in 1985 playing Susan Turner in medical drama The Practice, Michelle went on to play the role of a lifetime. In 1987, she portrayed Sue in the iconic film Rita, Sue and Bob Too.

Other notable roles include Maggie Coles in Firm Friends, Yvonne in Goodnight Sweetheart, Marie in Common As Muck, and Sgt. Connie Harper in Merseybeat.

Between 2004 and 2006, Michelle played Genevieve in Life Begins, before popping up in episodes of Waterloo Road, Cold Feet, Heartbeat, and Shameless. She also portrayed Claudie Williams in The Chase, and DC Barbara Maddox in Above Suspicion.

Vera series 14 cast list: Olwen May plays Helen Allenby

Actress Olwen May, 61, guest stars in Vera series 14 as Helen Allenby. She is perhaps best known for playing Mrs Beresford in the brilliant police drama Happy Valley.

She's also played multiple roles in Coronation Street! Betwenn 1990 and 2021, she's portrayed a character called Christine Woods, D.C. Chapman, Jessica Lundy, D.C. Joyce Malone, a consultant, and a judge... Corrie fans must have short memories! Similarly, Olwen has played multiple roles in Emmerdale, and Doctors.

As a jobbing actress over the course of three decades, Olwen has also played Frances Littlewood in Children's Ward, Miriam Marowski in Silent Witness, Felicity Green in Five Days, and Dr Edwards in Mount Pleasant.

More recently, Olwen has portrayed Dora in A Very British Scandal, Mrs Duff in Gentleman Jack, Ms Willoughby in Miss Scarlet and the Duke, and Margaret in Brassic.

Slow Horses fans might recognise her as the receptionist at The Park. She'll portray D.C. Lou McClaren in the upcoming 2025 series of The Bay.

Vera series 14 cast list: Amanda Root is Deena Corbridge

Essex-born actress Amanda Root, 60, portrays Deena Corbridge in the cast of Vera series 14.

Amanda has been on our screens and theatre stages for decades, and is perhaps best known for playing Anne Elliot in the 1995 film Persuasion. She's been in several other period dramas, including the TV adaptation of The Forsyte Saga, where she played Winifred Dartie.

Other notable roles include Rachel Mortimer in Mortimer's Law, Dolly in Anna Karenina, Mrs. Davilow in Daniel Deronda, and Miranda in All About Me.

In 2018, Amanda played Carol Finch in the brilliant detective drame Unforgotten, before starring as June Fox in The Sister. She's also played Sister Brumfett in Dalgliesh, Sue Farquhar in The Sixth Commandment, Elle in Baby Reindeer, and Abbess Zouche in Wolf Hall.

Anthony Flanagan stars as Chris Worsten

Stockport-born actor Anthony Flanagan, 52, guest stars as Chris Worsten in the final ever episode of Vera on ITV1 and ITVX.

He is perhaps best known for playing policeman Tony in Channel 4's comedy-drama series Shameless, a role he played from 2004 to 2006. More recently, he's become famous for his role of Ser Steffon Darklyn in House of the Dragon.

Anthony has been on our screens for more than 20 years, and has played Dexter in Survivors, Mike in Appropriate Adult, Fergus in Human, and Andy in Prisoners' Wives.

Between 2012 and 2013, Anthony starred as Arnold Hankin in The Village, before going on to play Bastien in Versailles, PC Sean Cobley in Wild Bill, and Thomas Kneedling in Around the World in 80 Days.

More recently, he starred as gangster Viktor in Happy Valley, and Dan Goddard in COBRA.

Vera series 14 full cast list:

Brenda Blethyn stars as DCI Vera Stanhope.

David Leon reprises his role as Joe Ashworth.

Jon Morrison portrays DC Kenny Lockhart.

Riley Jones stars as DC Mark Edwards.

Bryan Moriarty stars as Zachary Martin.

Rhiannon Clements as DC Steph Duncan.

Sarah Kameela Impey stars as pathologist Dr. Paula Bennett.

Kevin Whately plays Gary Creelan.

Chelsea Halfpenny plays Kimberley Martin.

Yazmin Kayani portrays Justine Kohli.

Amanda Root is Deena Corbridge.

Simon Lenagan stars as Richard Rowlins.

William Houston plays Lucas Corbridge.

Shobna Gulati portrays Chief Superintendent Khalon.

Clinton Blake portrays Greg Wakely.

Joshua Sher is Dylan Rowlins

Michelle Holmes plays Erika Rowlins.

Kevin Whateley stars as Gary Creelan.

Cathy Tyson stars as Kath Oliver.

Jacoba Williams portrays Gwen Cobden.

George Beach is Theo Patterdale.

Alexandra Hannant is Jessie Ashworth.

Victoria Elliott plays Imogen Langworth.

Christopher Conell stars as Dave Limbal.

Darren Morfit portrays Jimmy Hebble.

Anthony Flanagan stars as Chris Worsten.

Kate Maravan is Anna Worsten.

Tiegan Anson portrays Rachel Anson.

Gassan Abdulrazek stars as Miggy.

Sennia Nanua stars as Esther Owens.

Olwen May plays Helen Allenby.

Derek Thompson portrays Gordon Spencer.

Jacquetta May plays Pam Spencer.

Angela Bain stars as Ma Hebble.

Jada Langley plays Alice Hartford.Kath

Jonathan Iceton plays Josh Worsten.

Freya Parks stars as Stella Marsh.

Graeme Hawley portrays Will Marsh.

Charlotte Bradbury stars as Chloe Spencer.

Sarah Priddy is Tracey Jacks.

Vera series 14 airs on ITV1 and STV at 8pm on January 1 and 2, 2024.